Drum attachment for banjos



Patented Feb. 19, 1889.

Oerlaz'n Lfljivrneyw masses:

UNITED STATES PATENT Grates,

ROBERT OERLEIX, OF XEb' ORLEAXS, lLOl'ISL-XXA.

DRUM ATTACHMENT FOR BANJOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 39$,176, dated February 19, 1889.

Application filed July 25, 1888.

, To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT OERLEIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drum Attachments for Banjos; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in I drum attachments for banjos; and it consists of a bracket to be attached to the banjo-frame and carrying spring-arms, on the free ends of which are weights or heaters which rest in close relation to the banjo-head, so that as the latter vibrates under the influence of the strings the heaters will tap the said head in imitation of a drum.

In the drawing, the figure is a perspective I view of a portion of a banjo head and frame with my attachment applied.

A designates a bracket, which is shown attached to a banjo-frame, B, and is bent so as to lie over and parallel to the head 0 of the 1 said banjo. The free end of the bracket is expanded laterally and carries spring-armsf D. These arms 1) maybe formed of any suitable materialsueh as wire-steel springs and at their free ends carry weights or bcaters E, which rest closely over the banjo-head and are caused to vibrate rapidly by the vibration of the banjohead. The constant t beating of the weights on the head (7 produces the effect of a drum. The long spring-arms attached to the bracket Serial No. 280,977. (No model.)

' are very delicate in their action, and answer quickly to very slight vibrations of the head C.

It will be seen that l have shown four beaters, and that two are short and two long. The effect of such a construction is that the longer boaters will move in unison and the shorter ones will move in unison, but at a different speed than the longer boaters, thus producing a more varied effect than if the arms were of equal length. Beaters on arms of different lengths may be used on other musical instruments than banjos. It will also be seen that with the bracket 1 use, the banjc=head is not touched by any part thereof except the beaters, and then only when they are in operation.

In another application filed by me April 10, 1888, Serial X0. 270,194), I have shown,but not claimed, the heaters of different lengths.

Having described my invent lOll,\\'ll2ll I claim isi 1. The combination,with a banjo, of a brack- I et attached to the frame thereof, and spring- 1 arms secured to said bracket and carrying weights or boaters in close relation to the banjo-head, substantially as specified.

2. A drum attachment for musical instruj ments, consisting of a suitable holder and spring-arms of different lengths, and carrying weights or heaters, said arms being attached to said holder, substantially as specified.

In testimouywhercofl al'iixmysignature ill presence of two witnesses,

ROBERT UERLEIY.

IX itncsses:

HENRY .T. RuoDEs, PERcv D. PARKS. 

